Tennessee
Things to Do in Tennessee With Kids
A plain guide to family days across the state — East, Middle and West — and where a one-to-ten-year-old actually fits.
- Open daily 10AM – 7PM
- Ages 1–10, with a dedicated toddler area for ages 1–4
- Three levels, nine themed attractions
The short answer
Tennessee splits neatly into three for family trips. East Tennessee is mountains and theme parks — the Smokies, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Middle Tennessee is Nashville: music, museums, parks and, for little kids, indoor play. West Tennessee is Memphis: the zoo, the river and the music history.
If your children are between one and ten, the honest planning problem is not what exists but what suits their size. Big coaster parks are built for tall kids. The best days for the youngest ones are zoos, children's museums, state parks and indoor play parks.
By region
East Tennessee
The Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, with the state's biggest theme parks and mountain attractions. Best for school-age kids and up.
Middle Tennessee
Nashville and its ring of towns: parks, museums, the zoo, and indoor play for the under-tens. Easy to do as day trips.
West Tennessee
Memphis and the Mississippi — the zoo, riverfront parks and music landmarks.
State parks
More than fifty across the state, free to enter, with trails and swimming that suit every age.
Rainy and hot days
Indoor play parks, children's museums and aquariums are what hold up in August and in February.
Under-fives
Toddlers need gated, soft, indoor space more than they need rides. Plan around that and the day works.
The Nashville-area option for ages 1 to 10
In Middle Tennessee, Dinotopia is an indoor dinosaur play park at 2291 Gallatin Pike N in Madison, about fifteen minutes north of downtown Nashville. Three levels of soft play, the Super Slides, the Donut Slide, the Spider Tower rope climb, the Mammal Ball Pool, an arcade and a gated toddler area for ages 1 to 4.
It is open every day from 10AM to 7PM, entirely indoors, with free parking and a café on site. Two-hour pass $19.95 + tax per child; all-day VIP $24.99 + tax; supervising adult $5 + tax; required non-slip socks $3.95.
Planning a Tennessee family trip
- 1
Pick the region first
Driving across Tennessee takes most of a day end to end. Choose one region per trip.
- 2
Match the ages
Height limits rule out most coasters for under-sevens. Check before you build a day around one.
- 3
Book one indoor thing
Summer heat and winter cold both end outdoor days early. Have something inside on the list.
- 4
Leave a gap
One big thing a day is plenty with small children.
Passing through Nashville?
Dinotopia is open every day, 10AM to 7PM, fifteen minutes north of downtown.
Common questions
Keep exploring
- Amusement Parks in TennesseeWhere the state's parks are - Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Chattanooga - and which ones suit families with young kids.
- Things to Do With Kids in NashvilleA local family's shortlist for toddlers through tweens - the zoo, the science center, parks and indoor play.
- Indoor Activities in NashvilleClimate-controlled play for ages 1-10, open every day 10AM-7PM, about 15 minutes north of downtown Nashville.
- Toddler Play AreaA separate soft-play zone for ages 1-4 with padded floors, low climbs and gentle slides. Weekday mornings are the quietest.
- All Nine AttractionsPhotos and age ranges for every attraction, from the Spider Tower and Super Slides to the Mammal Ball Pool and Pterodactyl Cafe.